WO2004050480A1

WO2004050480A1 - Check-in system

Info

Publication number: WO2004050480A1
Application number: PCT/NL2003/000837
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacobus Marie Van Den Goor
Original assignee: Vanderlande Industries Nederland B.V.
Priority date: 2002-11-29
Filing date: 2003-11-28
Publication date: 2004-06-17
Also published as: AU2003296255A1; NL1022027C2

Abstract

The invention provides a check-in system (1) for luggage, which check-in system (1) comprises a check-in counter (2) provided with a worktop (47) and a work position for check-in operator (4) positioned behind said worktop (47), as well as a discharge conveyor (6) extending along the check-in counter and the work position for discharging luggage along a conveying route. The discharge conveyor (6) extends in part along the front side of the check-in counter. The invention also provides a group of such check-in systems.

Description

Check-in system

The present invention relates to a check-in system for luggage, which check-in system comprises a check-in counter provided with a worktop and a work position for a check-in operator positioned behind said worktop, as well as a discharge conveyor extending along the check- in counter and the work position for discharging luggage along a conveying route.

Such check-in systems are generally found in airport departure halls. In use, the passenger who is checking in places his luggage, such as a suitcase, onto the first part of the discharge conveyor beside the check-in counter. The luggage is then weighed on the discharge conveyor, after which the check-in operator provides the luggage with an information carrier, such as a label and/or a sticker, on which information is present with regard to the passenger and the destination. Said information is input via a keyboard present on the worktop, or at least near the worktop, for example on a slidable support which can be pulled out from under the worktop. When subsequently the discharge conveyor is operated, the luggage is discharged for further transport to the aeroplane in question or to an interim storage facility. At some airports the luggage is automatically placed in special, uniform containers in order to facilitate the further handling of the luggage.

Check-in systems of this kind have this drawback that the placing of luggage onto the first part of the conveyor requires a relatively great deal of effort on the part of the passengers, depending of course on the weight of the luggage in question, because the passengers must place the luggage onto the conveyor at a position straight in front of themselves, relatively far removed from the position where they are standing, which is objectionable for ergonomic reasons, in particular for people who have back trouble, older people and short people, and which may thus lead to insurmountable problems. Such check-in systems have ergonomic drawbacks for the check-in operator as well, since the check-in operator may have to carry out operations on the luggage at varying heights. By way of illustration, in the case of a suitcase fitted with a handle, to which the check-in operator has to attach a label, there is a difference between such a suitcase in an upright position on the one hand and such a suitcase in a horizontal position on the other hand. There is considerable difference between the levels at which the operations in question have to be carried out in the two positions. This means that the check-in operator has to carry out operations above the conveyor at levels which may vary to the extent of several dozen centimetres. In addition, in practice the handle of a suitcase in horizontal position is frequently present on the side remote from the check-in operator, so that the check-in operator is forced to reach over the suitcase. All this is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of working conditions, and it may lead to medical complaints, such as back trouble.

In addition to that, in those cases where containers are used for the luggage, which containers are also referred to by the professional term "tub", the reliability with which the automated placement of the luggage into the containers takes place at a position downstream of the check-in counter is limited, in spite of the complex and thus costly provisions that have been made for this purpose. In practice this means that frequently the presence of personnel is required near the location where the automated placement of the luggage into the containers takes place, so that said personnel can take action as soon as a piece of luggage is incorrectly placed into a container. Furthermore, belts, handles, pulling handles and the like frequently project from the container, causing the luggage to catch on some object and being pulled from the container during transport. US patent US-B1-6,259,721 discloses a special check-in system installed on a stepped floor, which system comprises a discharge conveyor consisting of a number of conveyor sections, the first one of which is present at the head of the discharge conveyor, beside the check- in counter. The first conveyor section and the second conveyor section connecting thereto can be driven in two opposite directions, so that the two conveyor sections can also be used for supplying tray-like containers to passengers who are checking in, wherein the end of the second conveyor section that faces towards the head of the discharge conveyor is capable of pivoting movement about a horizontal axis extending perpendicularly to the direction of transport, so that said conveyor section can act as a switch between a supply route for empty containers and a discharge route for filled containers. Downward pivoting of the second conveyor section provides an uninterrupted supply route for the containers, whereas the discharge route is interrupted. Upward pivoting of the second conveyor section removes the interruption of the discharge conveyor, now the supply route is interrupted, so that special luggage that has been placed into the container by a passenger can be discharged therein along the discharge route. Said pivoting of the second conveyor section and the reversal of the direction of transport takes place on the basis of a control command delivered by the check-in operator. The check-in operator assesses the nature of the luggage before it is placed on the discharge conveyor and arranges for a container to be transported to the head of the discharge conveyor if the nature of the piece of luggage warrants this, for example in the case of special pieces of luggage, such as rucksacks or fragile goods. The nature and the dimensions of the container do not allow standard travelling cases (dimensions about 80 x 50 x 30 cm) and large sports bags to be placed and discharged therein. This kind of luggage is handled without making use of a container, therefore.

The check-in system according to US-B1-6,279,721, too, has the drawback of requiring a physical effort on the part of the passenger, since the passenger needs to place the luggage onto the head of the discharge conveyor straight ahead of him. In addition, when a container is used the luggage must be lifted over the edges of the tray-like container. Because of the fact that the first conveyor section is a belt conveyor, the bottom side of the container is already positioned a few dozen centimetres above the floor surface, which makes it even more difficult to lift the luggage over the edge of a container. The check-in operator, too, has to deal with ergonomically unfavourable loads. The check-in operator thus needs to manoeuvre himself into ergonomically unfavourable positions in order to gain a view of the piece of luggage in question in order to assess the nature thereof, so that he can decide whether or not to have a container supplied to the head of the discharge container. In addition, the luggage is present at a relatively low level beside the work position, in which position of the piece of luggage the check-in operator must attach a label or the like thereto. In addition to that, the risk remains that the problems as described above with regard to the reliability and the cost of an automated luggage handling system will still apply if pieces of luggage, such as standard suitcases, which have not been placed into a container during the check-in procedure, are automatically placed into a container of a different type yet during a subsequent stage. The latter containers will have to be different from the containers that are used when checking in special pieces of luggage, for example by being larger at least. The use of different types of containers is a complicating factor in the logistic process involved in the handling of the luggage after the check- in procedure.

It is noted as an aside that US patent US 3,789,957, in contrast to the present invention, discloses a check-out system which is neither intended not suitable for use as a check-in system for luggage.

The object of the invention is to provide a solution, or at least an improvement, as regards the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art, whether or not in a preferred embodiment thereof. In order to achieve that object, the check-in system according to the invention is in the first place characterized in that the discharge conveyor extends in part along the front side of the check-in counter. As a result, passengers no longer have to place their luggage onto the discharge conveyor at a position straight in front of them, relatively far removed from the position where they are standing, but the passengers can place said luggage onto the discharge conveyor at a position more or less beside the position where they are standing, which requires a much smaller physical effort. In a very advantageous preferred embodiment, the discharge conveyor comprises a conveyor section which is vertically movable, using drive means, between a lower position and an upper position for moving luggage that is present on the vertically movable conveyor section in vertical direction. This makes it possible to move the vertically movable conveyor section of the discharge conveyor with the luggage present thereon vertically upwards once the luggage has been placed onto the discharge conveyor, so that said luggage can be moved to a position that is ergonomically favourable for the check-in operator so as to enable the operator to carry out operations on the luggage. Said driving means make it possible to carry out such a method with a minimum conveying length of the discharge conveyor.

A constructional ly advantageous embodiment for realising this is obtained if said drive means are arranged for vertical translation of the vertically movable conveyor section. Thus, the spatial orientation of the luggage, which may or may not be present in a container, can be maintained while the vertically movable conveyor section with the luggage present thereon is moved in vertical direction. Said orientation will usually be a horizontal orientation. As a result, said orientation will also apply if the vertically movable conveyor section is stopped at a position between said lower position and said upper position, for example because the luggage present on the vertically movable conveyor section has specific dimensions that render such a position of the vertically movable conveyor section ergonomically more favourable than, for example, the upper position.

Alternatively, or even in combination therewith, the drive means may also be arranged for pivoting the vertically movable conveyor section about a horizontal axis extending perpendicularly to the direction of transport. Thus it is possible to move luggage from an inclined orientation to a horizontal orientation, during which pivoting the luggage is moved in vertical direction. The pivot axis is preferably positioned at the end of the pivotable, vertically movable conveyor section remote from the head of the discharge conveyor. When containers are used for accommodating luggage during transport thereof along the discharge conveyor, such a conveyor, which is waiting to be positioned at the head of the discharge conveyor from a supply conveyor (yet to be described) disposed under the discharge conveyor, can thus move closer to the head of the discharge conveyor in the lower position of the movable conveyor section.

A very advantageous embodiment is obtained if the pivot axis is positioned above the level of the head of the discharge conveyor, since it is possible in that case to move the luggage, which may or may not be present in a container, to a raised horizontal position after it has been placed onto the head of the discharge conveyor by the passenger checking in. As already indicated before, such a raised horizontal position may be advantageous as regards the ergonomic working conditions of the check-in operator.

In order to further improve the ergonomic working conditions of a check-in operator, the discharge conveyor in general preferably comprises a check-in conveyor section having a supporting surface at a position higher than the head of the discharge conveyor so as to enable to check-in operator to process the luggage present on the check-in conveyor. Preferably, said processing by the check-in operator takes place at the level of the worktop of the check-in counter. More preferably, said supporting surface is horizontally oriented. A horizontal orientation ensures that the whole of the luggage, or of a container in which luggage is present, will be positioned at least substantially at the same vertical level, whilst in addition the risk of rolling of sliding of the luggage under the influence of the force of gravity and a sloping orientation is excluded or at least reduced to a significant extent. Since the operations that are to be carried out for checking in the luggage, such as the inputting of data via a keyboard by the check-in operator, can take place at a raised level, an ergonomically favourable situation can be created, in which the amount of bending and stretching by the operator can be reduced to a minimum. When luggage containers are used, the raised position of the supporting surface of the check-in conveyor section furthermore makes it possible to supply empty containers to the head of the discharge conveyor along the bottom of the check-in conveyor section, so that no time will be lost in doing so while the check-in operator is carrying out operations on the luggage and said checking in will take as little time as possible.

The aforesaid supporting surface of the check-in conveyor section is preferably disposed maximally 50 cm, more preferably maximally 30 cm, below the level of the worktop for the check-in operator. Such a level of the supporting surface is in particular, but not exclusively, advantageous if a container is consistently used for every piece of luggage, so that all the pieces of luggage on the check-in conveyor section are present at nearly the same vertical level. The optimum vertical level of the supporting surface depends in particular on the fact whether a container is directly used at all upon checking in, and if so, on the type of container in question. When using the specific level range as indicated above, the check-in operator will not have to bend or stretch in that case, or only to a limited extent, which bending and stretching would place an additional physical burden on the check-in operator.

In order to make the discharge conveyor construction as compact as possible, it is very advantageous if the check-in conveyor section is formed by the vertically movable conveyor section in a position other than its lowermost position.

As already suggested a few times above, the check-in system according to the invention preferably comprises containers for discharging luggage therein on the discharge conveyor. The use of such containers makes it possible to present the luggage in a uniform manner to automated handling systems for checked-in luggage.

Preferably, the check-in system comprises a supply container for supplying an empty container to a passenger present at the head of the discharge conveyor along a supply route which is at least partially different from the discharge route, wherein the discharge conveyor is arranged for discharging a container that has been filled with a piece of luggage by the passenger from the location of said passenger. It will be understood that the end of the supply route and the beginning of the discharge route coincide. Thus it is also possible to make advantageous use of the forward position, as it were, of the discharge conveyor if the supply of empty containers to the head of the discharge conveyor takes place by means of a supply conveyor. Thus, also the loading of conveyors with luggage by a passenger can take place in a manner which is physically less burdening, viz. sideways rather than forwards. In addition to that, the present a preferred embodiment has this advantage that the passenger places his luggage into the empty container himself and that he normally will see to it that the luggage, or at least parts thereof such as handles, buckles, labels and the like do not project from the container, which might lead to the piece of luggage catching behind objects present along the conveying route. Because of the passenger's ergonomically favourable position, any corrections that may be required can easily be carried out by the passenger as well. In the unlikely event of the passenger (unconsciously) not having checked this himself, the check-in operator will see to it that the luggage is correctly positioned in the container yet, without any parts projecting therefrom, as soon as the container with the luggage present therein is carried to his/her position.

Quite preferably, the vertically movable conveyor section is arranged for enabling the supply conveyor to supply empty containers to the head of the discharge conveyor in a first position of the vertically movable conveyor section, and for enabling, both in the first position and in a second position of the vertically movable conveyor section, the discharge conveyor to discharge a luggage-filled container from the head of the discharge conveyor, via the vertically movable conveyor section, along a discharge route that differs in part from the supply route. It should be realised in this connection that the vertically movable conveyor section is moved between said first and said second position upon discharge of a luggage-filled container. In addition to that it is important to note that within the framework of this preferred embodiment, the vertically movable conveyor section may either form part of the supply conveyor or, on the contrary, not form part thereof in said first position.

It is very advantageous in this connection if said first position corresponds to the upper position and said second position corresponds to the lower position, since it is possible in that case to have the supply route for the empty containers extend at least partially under the discharge route for the filled containers, in which situation empty containers can be supplied while the vertically movable conveyor section is in the second or upper position and a check-in operator can process luggage present on said vertically movable conveyor section.

A very advantageous embodiment is obtained if the discharge conveyor and the supply conveyor comprise a common conveyor section which can be driven in two opposed directions, which conveyor section is positioned at the end of the supply conveyor and the head of the discharge conveyor. The required conveying means take up less space when such a common conveyor section is used.

In particular for use in combination with specific containers it is preferable for the supply conveyor or the discharge conveyor or the common conveyor section to comprise two parallel supporting conveying elements, with a free space for a container present therebetween. Such a configuration, wherein the conveying elements may be formed by conveyor belts or by a row of conveying wheels, for example, is very suitable for use with containers whose bottom side, or at least part thereof, is substantially shaped like an inverted Ω. The container is supported as a result of the projecting horizontal legs of the Ω-shaped being supported by the two parallel conveying elements, with the belly of the Ω-shape, which may also be rectangular in shape, extending within the free space. The container can thus be moved to a position as close to the ground as possible, thereby making it easier for a passenger to place luggage into the container.

In order to prevent objects, such as suitcases or other possessions, or persons, for example children, undesirably falling or stumbling into the aforesaid free space between the parallel conveying elements, a screening element, which can preferably move along with a container, is preferably provided for the purpose of screening the free space from above in the absence of a container at that location. Such a screening element, which may have a harmonica-like construction, for example, may be provided with an illustration which shows passengers that they must not use the screening element as a supporting surface for luggage, but that they must await the arrival of an empty container for placing luggage therein.

A very suitable and practical screening element is formed by a roller screen, since a roller screen is in principle capable of following the conveying movement of a container, which container may or may not be filled with luggage.

In order to have the roller screen follow the movement of the container in a simple manner, spring means are preferably provided for unrolling the roller screen so as to form a screen, in which case the roller screen is wound up against the action of the spring means as a result of a container pressing against the screen upon arrival thereof on the container conveying section.

A very suitable manner of diverting a luggage-filled container from the supply route during movement of the container along the discharge route is obtained if the vertically movable conveyor section extends into the free space between the two parallel supporting conveying elements in the second position. Thus, the vertically movable conveyor section takes over the luggage-filled container from the two parallel supporting conveying elements of the container conveyor section in the second position.

In order to increase the reliability of the check-in system, the supply conveyor is preferably completely stationary. This means that the supporting surface of the supply conveyor is not movable in any way other than for conveying an empty container along the supply route.

It is also very advantageous if the supply route extends substantially in the same horizontal plane. This makes it possible, among other things, to install the entire check-in system on a completely level floor, with the part of the discharge route that does not coincide with the supply route preferably extending above the supply route.

In order to integrate the check-in system according to the invention in a larger logistic whole of check-in systems, it is very advantageous if a main discharge conveyor is provided for receiving luggage, whether or not present in containers, from the discharge conveyor and further discharging said luggage.

A similar advantage is obtained if a main supply conveyor is provided for the prior supply and delivery of empty containers to the supply conveyor.

Various supply conveyors and discharge conveyors forming part of various check-in systems according to the invention may be connected to the main supply conveyor and the main discharge conveyor as referred to above, so that a branched logistic structure is obtained. It is precisely this structure that enables a compact grouping of check-in systems.

With a view to increasing the capacity, it is preferable for the main discharge conveyor and the discharge conveyor and/or the main supply conveyor and the supply conveyor to include a first angle other than a right angle and/or a second angle other than a right angle, respectively, with each other at the location where they connect to each other. Such a first angle and/or second angle preferably varies between 45 degrees and 75 degrees. Thus an optimum compromise is obtained between the required amount of space and the capacity increase.

A further reduction of the amount of space that is required is obtained if the connection between the main supply conveyor and the supply conveyor and the connection between the main discharge conveyor and the discharge conveyor as well as the main supply conveyor and the main discharge conveyor are disposed straight above each other, with the directions of transport of the main supply conveyor and the main discharge conveyor being of opposite sense. In order to make it possible to move empty containers from the main supply conveyor to the supply conveyor, the check-in system preferably comprises a vertically movable guide element for guiding an empty container sideways from the main supply conveyor to a supply conveyor in a lower guiding position in the path of a container being conveyed by the main supply conveyor.

In order to increase the capacity of the main supply conveyor, the guide element comprises a front sub-guide element and a rear sub-guide element (seen in the direction of transport of the main supply conveyor), which are individually movable in vertical direction.

The check-in system according to the invention is preferably used in combination with containers having a sloping sliding surface for the luggage. This achieves that passengers will generally place suitcases into the containers in the same orientation, viz. with the handle facing upwards, thus making it easier for the check-in operator to carry out operations on the handle. More preferably, a recess is present in the sloping sliding surface for accommodating relatively small pieces of luggage. This is advantageous, in particular for the check-in operator, since he will not have to reach very far in order to get to small items of luggage that are present in a container. A very special preferred embodiment of a check-in system according to the invention is characterized in that a control system is provided which, in a fully automated manner, arranges for the supply of a container to the head of the discharge conveyor, via the supply conveyor, as soon as a luggage-filled container has left said position. Thus, a situation is created in which every piece of luggage that is checked in at the check-in counter is placed in a container, so that subsequent automatic placement in a container is no longer necessary, thus eliminating all the risks and drawbacks that are connected therewith. The automatic process as described above also prevents the check-in separator being involved in the supply of the containers, which relieves the pressure of work on the check-in operator, whilst in addition the period of time that a passenger may have to wait before a new, empty container is supplied is reduced to a minimum, and the passenger can immediately deliver a next piece of luggage. It is noted as an aside that nearly all the preferred embodiments of the invention as described above can also be used advantageously in situations in which the discharge conveyor does not extend in part along the front side of the check-in counter but in which the head of the discharge conveyor is positioned beside the check-in counter, as is the case in the prior art. It will be understood that the advantage of reducing the physical burden on passengers upon placing luggage onto a discharge conveyor, whether or not in a container, is relinquished in that case. This does not apply if the container is oriented in the transverse direction rather than in the longitudinal direction of the discharge conveyor, as will be explained in more detail yet below. Other advantages are still achieved in that case. More specifically, but not limited thereto, this applies to all the preferred embodiments wherein use is made of a vertically movable conveyor section, a check-in conveyor section, specific embodiments of the supply conveyor, the discharge conveyor, the main supply conveyor and the main discharge conveyor and (sub) guide elements. In addition to that, the preferred embodiment of a container as described herein constitutes a patentable invention per se, in particular if a recess is provided in a sloping sliding surface.

In order to make the ergonomic advantages to passengers checking in their luggage substantial indeed, the discharge conveyor preferably extends over a distance of at least 50 cm along the front side of the check-in counter.

In those cases in which a container is used, the discharge container preferably extends over a distance of at least 60 per cent of the length of the container along the front side of the check-in counter.

If containers are used, an optimum situation is obtained if the discharge container extends over a distance of substantially the length of a container along the front side of the check-in counter. On the one hand the passenger will be able to place his luggage into the container exactly from the side in that case, whilst on the other hand the discharge conveyor will not extend along the front side of the check- in counter over a larger distance than is necessary.

The ergonomic advantages for the passenger can also be achieved if the discharge conveyor is arranged for discharging containers whose longitudinal direction extends perpendicularly to the direction of transport of the discharge conveyor. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that is not necessary in such a situation for the discharge conveyor to extend in part of along the front side of the check-in counter, although such an arrangement is not excluded. Thus the containers are oriented in the transverse direction rather than in the longitudinal direction, which enables the passenger to take up a position on the long side of the container when placing his luggage into the container.

Within the framework of the aforesaid preferred embodiment it is preferable for the discharge conveyor to have a width of at least 100 cm, so that the discharge conveyor will be suitable for discharging containers having a length (oriented perpendicularly to the direction of transport) of at least 100 cm.

The invention also relates to a group of check-in systems as described above. Groups of check-in systems are often encountered in airport departure halls. In order to take up as a little of the space present at the front side of the check-in counter as possible, which space is available for accommodating passengers, the check-in systems according to the invention are preferably disposed side by side, with the front sides of the check-in counters and the discharge conveyors forming an essentially wavy pattern, such as a serrated pattern. An additional advantage of this arrangement is that, for example in the case of rectilinear discharge and supply routes, seen in top plan view, the connection to a respective main supply conveyor or main discharge conveyor can take place in a manner other than at right angles, which has specific advantages, as described above. In such a case, the passenger can take up a position in the inside corner upon checking in, or more generally in the interior of the wave form that is formed by the front side of a check-in counter and the side connecting thereto of the part of the discharge conveyor that extends on the front side of the check-in counter, which will make him feel safe and at ease. The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter by means of a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the description, reference will be made to the following Figures:

Figures 1-5 show a preferred embodiment of a check-in system according to the invention, showing successive positions of the system during use thereof;

Figure 6 is a schematic, perspective view of the check-in system in the position that is shown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a schematic, perspective view of the check-in system in the position that is shown in Figure 5; Figures 8a and 8b are a top plan view and a side elevation, respectively, of a twin-belt conveyor forming part of the check-in system that is shown in the preceding Figures;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of a conveying system that can be used with a check-in system according to the invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment a conveying system that can be used with a check-in system according to the invention;

Figure 11 is a vertical, cross-sectional view along the line XI-XI in Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view along the line XII- XII in Figure 3;

Figures 13a-15b are schematic, vertical cross-sectional views of six possible embodiments of containers for luggage that can be used with a check-in system according to the invention;

Figures 16a and 16b are a top plan view and a cross- sectional view along the line XVIb-XVIb in Figures 16a, respectively, of another possible embodiment of a container for luggage that can be used with a check-in system according to the invention;

Figure 17 is a top plan view of a group of check-in systems according to the invention;

Figure 18 is a view of a detail of Figure 17, showing the manner in which empty containers are supplied;

Figure 19 is a top plan view of a detail of Figure 17, showing the manner in which filled containers are discharged; Figures 20a and 20b are a top plan view and a rear view, respectively, of a main supply conveyor for empty containers;

Figures 21a and 21b are a top plan view and a rear view, respectively, of a main supply conveyor for empty containers, showing the diversion of a container to a check-in counter, Figures 22a and 22b are a top plan view and a rear view, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of a main supply conveyor for empty containers; and

Figures 23a and 23b are a top plan view and a rear view, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of said main supply conveyor, showing the diversion of a container to a check-in counter.

In figure 6, a first preferred embodiment of a check-in system according to the invention is shown. The check-in system 1 comprises a check-in counter 2, at the front side of which passengers 3 check in with a check-in operator 4 for checking in their luggage, such as a suitcase 5. On the side of the check-in operator 4, the check-in counter 2 is provided with a worktop 47, on which. the check-in operator carries out administrative work with or without the aid of a keyboard placed on the worktop 47. A partially two-level conveying system 6 extends along the check-in counter 2 and the work position of the check- in operator 4 behind the check-in counter 2, by means of which conveying system empty containers 7 can be supplied along a supply route from a main supply conveyor 8 to passengers 3, and by means of which subsequently a container 7 filled with luggage placed into the container 7 by passengers 3 can be discharged again along a discharge route partially coinciding with the supply route and partially being disposed thereabove to a main discharge conveyor 9 (Figures 1-5).

To that end, the conveying system 6 comprises a first stationary belt conveyor 10 and a twin-belt conveyor 11 connecting thereto. Unlike the belt 14 of the belt conveyor 10, the conveyor belts 12 and 13 of the twin-belt conveyor 11 can be driven in two directions, so that the twin-belt conveyor 11 can be used both for supplying empty container 7 and for discharging containers 7 filled with luggage, such as a suitcase 5.

The conveying system 6 furthermore comprises a belt conveyor 16 which is pivotable about an axis 15, and a second, stationary belt conveyor 17 disposed above the first belt conveyor 10, which belt conveyor 17 connects to the main discharge conveyor 9. The pivotable belt conveyor 16 is pivotable between a first angular position as shown in Figure 7 and a second, pivoted position as shown in Figure 6. In the first position, the direction of transport of the pivotable belt conveyor 16 is horizontally oriented, in line with the direction of transport of the second belt conveyor 17. In said first position, the upper side of the pivotable belt conveyor 16 is disposed at a vertical distance 48 (Figure 1) of 50 cm below the level of the worktop 47. In said second position, the free end of the pivotable belt conveyor 16 extends between the two parallel, spaced-apart conveyor belts 12, 13 of the twin-belt conveyor 11. In said second position, no supply of empty containers 7 from the first stationary belt conveyor 10 to the end of the twin-belt conveyor 11 is possible, but a container 7 filled with luggage, such as a suitcase 5, can be moved from the location of the passenger 3 onto the pivotable belt conveyor 16 by reversing the direction of transport of the twin-belt conveyor 11, after which the pivotable belt conveyor 16 is pivoted upwards from said second position to said first position. In said first position, empty containers 7 can be supplied to the end of the twin-belt conveyor 11, whilst in addition the check-in operator 4 can carry out operations on the luggage, such as a suitcase 5, present in the container 7 on the pivotable belt conveyor 16, which is not being driven at that point. Said operations may comprise the attachment of a label to the handle of the suitcase 5, for example. Since the suitcase 5 is present at an elevated position during these operations, directly beside the work position of the check-in operator 4, at substantially the same level as the worktop 47, the check-in operator 4 does not need to bend or stretch or exert himself in any other way, whilst in addition it will be easy to check whether the suitcase 5 is correctly positioned in the container 7 and possibly correct said position in case it should not be correct. In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the pivotable belt conveyor 16 has been exchanged for a belt conveyor capable of reciprocating translating movement in vertical direction, which, in a lower position thereof, is positioned in line with the belt conveyor 14, and which, in an upper position thereof, takes up a position that corresponds to the position of the belt conveyor 16 in the upwardly pivoted position thereof. Conveyor belts 12, 13 may optionally comprise parts extending on either side of the belt conveyor 16 in the lower position thereof. If said parts of the conveyor belts 12, 13 are indeed provided, it is possible to supply empty containers to the passenger 3 under the translatable belt conveyor in the upper position thereof. If the conveyor belts 12, 13 do not comprise such parts, the supply of empty containers to the passenger 3 will only be possible in the lower position of the translatable belt conveyor. The first variant is preferred, as it enables the check-in operator 4 to carry out operations on the luggage 5 present in a container 7 on the translatable belt conveyor in the upper position whilst a new empty container 7 is being supplied to the passenger 3, which is not possible with the second variant. In addition to that it is noted that alternatively it is possible to have the vertical movement of a container filled with a suitcase or the like, or of luggage in general, take place at the front side of the worktop 47, wherein the luggage, after having been moved upwards either in a translating movement or in a pivoting movement, is transported further to a stationary conveyor present beside the worktop 47, so that the conveyor section that has effected said upward movement is free again and available for a next piece of luggage. Although this is not shown in Figure 7, it should be understood that while the check-in operator 4 is carrying out the aforesaid operations on the suitcase 5, with the pivotable belt conveyor 6 in a first pivoted position, a new empty container 7 can be supplied, so that the passenger 3 can place another piece of luggage into a new, empty container. All this leads to a smooth processing of the luggage during the check-in procedure.

It is important to note that the end of the twin-belt conveyor 11 extends in front of the front side 18 of the check-in counter 2. This makes it easier for the passenger 3 to place his suitcase 5 into the container 7, since the passenger 3 does not need to lift the suitcase 5 to a position beside the check-in counter 2. Although Figure 6 shows a passenger 3 placing the suitcase 5 into the empty container with his right hand, in forward direction, as it were, it is also possible for the passenger to place the suitcase 5 into the container 7 with his left hand, in lateral direction, as it were, with his face turned towards the check-in operator 4. In order to further facilitate this, the container 7 is provided with a downwardly sloping sliding surface 19, which extends from the upper side of the upper boundary edge 20 facing towards the passenger 3 in the direction of the bottom line 21 of the container 7. Since it will be important to the passenger 3 that the suitcase 5 is correctly handled, the passenger 3 will exercise due care when placing the suitcase 5 into the container 7, making sure that no parts of the suitcase 5 or of other pieces of luggage project outside the container 7. Additional measures have been taken so as to further relieve the physical burden on the passenger 3 when placing his luggage, such as a suitcase 5, into an empty container 7. Thus, the floor under the conveying system is not provided with a finishing layer 22 having a height of about 15 cm, unlike the floor on which the passenger 3 is standing, so that the upper circumferential edge 20 of the container 7 is positioned at a lower and thus ergonomically more favourable level for the passenger 3.

The vertical level of the upper circumferential edge 20 is lowered further through the use of a specific embodiment of the container 7 in combination with the twin-belt conveyor 11. This will be explained in more detail with reference to Figure 12. Said Figure clearly shows that the bottom side of the container 7 is substantially shaped like an inverted Ω, with the horizontal ends 23, 24 resting on the respective conveyor belts 12, 13 of the twin-belt conveyor 11. As a result, the belly 25 of the inverted Ω, which is rectangular in this case, extends between the conveyor belts 12, 13, so that the container 7 as a whole is positioned closer to the ground 26 than it would be if the bottom side of the belly 25 of the inverted Ω-shape of the bottom of the container 7 were present on a wider belt conveyor, as is shown in Figure 11.

A housing 27 is furthermore present at the end of the twin- belt conveyor 11, within which housing a louvre covering 28 can be wound on a winding body 29 (see Figures 1-5). Said winding body 29 is provided with spring means (not shown), as a result of which the winding body 29 exhibits a tendency to slide the louvre covering 28 out above the second half of the twin-belt conveyor 11. This prevents the formation of an open space at the end of the twin-belt conveyor 11, between the conveyor belts 12, 13, during the temporary absence of a container 7 at that location, into which space objects might fall or playing children might stumble and be struck by a new empty container 7 being supplied. The length of the louvre covering 28 is such that the covering extends from the end of the twin-belt conveyor 11 to a position behind the front side 18 of the check-in counter 2, so that an adequate protection is provided. Within the framework of the invention it will also be possible, however, for the louvre covering 28 to extend up to the front side 18 of the check-in counter. Alternatively, it would also be possible to use a harmonica-type covering instead of a system comprising a winding body 29.

Figures 8a and 8b show the twin-belt conveyor 11 separately. The conveyor belts 12, 13 are each passed over a set of pulleys 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36, as well as over a common drive shaft 37 driven by drive means (not shown). The pulleys 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 (of each conveyor belt 12, 13) and the drive shaft 37 are bearing-mounted in a frame which is not shown in further detail, but which also comprises two cross beams 39, 40 and two longitudinal beams 41, 42, which together form a framework. The twin-belt conveyor 11 is supported on the ground 26 by means of said frame, via weighing cells 43, 44, 45, 46 mounted in pairs on the bottom sides of the cross beams 39 and 40. Said weighing cells enable a precise determination of the weight of the contents of a container 7 present on the twin-belt conveyor 11, which weight constitutes important information in the check-in procedure.

As is clearly visible in particular in Figure 8b, but also in Figures 1-5, the upper side of the pulleys 30 is positioned at a higher level than the supporting surface of the belt 14 of the first stationary belt conveyor 10. This makes it possible for the container 7 to be supported via the horizontal ends of the inverted Ω-shape of the bottom side of the container 7 at the location where the container 7 is still supported by the belt conveyor 10 via the bottom side of the belly 25 (see Figure 11), at the transition between the belt conveyor 10 and the twin-belt conveyor 11. From the pulley 30, the conveyor belts 12, 13 extend slightly downwards to a position approximately halfway the conveying length of the twin-belt conveyor 11. As a result, the container 7 will be moved to a level lower than that of the first stationary belt conveyor 10 in the first half of the length of the twin-belt conveyor 11. An empty container being supplied will take up a horizontal orientation from the location of the slight kink in the conveying route of the twin- belt conveyor 11, which is the most favourable orientation for loading.

Figures 9 and 10 show two variants of possible embodiments of the pivotable belt conveyor 16 and the twin-belt conveyor 11 as shown in the preceding Figures. In the conveying system 61 according to Figure 9, in which the first and second stationary belt conveyors 10 and 17 have been maintained, the twin-belt conveyor 11 has been exchanged for a third stationary belt conveyor 62 which can be driven in two directions, just like the twin-belt conveyor 11. The pivotable belt conveyor 16 has been exchanged for a different type of pivotable conveyor, viz. the belt conveyor 63. The pivotable belt conveyor 63 comprises a conveyor belt 64. At its free end, the pivotable belt conveyor 63 is provided with ascending guides 65, 66 on either side of the conveyor belt 64, along which the container (not shown) can be moved upwards by driving the conveyor belt 67, until the bottom side of the container in question is engaged by the conveyor belt 64. A transport system 61 of this kind is in particular suitable for use with containers having a completely flat bottom, as is shown in Figures 13b, 14b and 15b.

The conveying system 71 that is shown in Figure 10 is in particular suitable for use with containers having a completely flat bottom side, such as the containers that are shown in Figures 13b, 14b and 15b, or an at least substantially flat bottom side extending the distance between the sides of the belts 75, 76 that face away from each other. In the transport system 71, the twin-belt conveyor 11 has been exchanged for a stationary belt conveyor 72 comprising a conveyor belt 73 that can be driven in two directions. The pivotable belt conveyor 16 has been exchanged for a pivotable twin-belt conveyor 74, whose conveyor belts 75, 76 extend on either side of the stationary belt conveyor 72 in the downwardly pivoted position of the conveyor 74. This enables the twin-belt conveyor 74 to take over a container from the stationary belt conveyor 72, in a manner which substantially corresponds to the manner in which an empty container 7 is taken over by the twin-belt conveyor 11 of the first belt conveyor 10 as shown in Figures 1-7.

Figures 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, 15a and 15b show various embodiments of containers that can be used in combination with a check-in system according to the invention. Figures 13a, 14a and 15a show containers whose bottom side is shaped like an inverted Ω, whereas the containers that are shown in Figures 13b, 14b and 15b have a completely flat bottom. The containers that are shown in Figures 13a and 13b are provided with a recess 81 shaped like a scalene triangle for accommodating pieces of luggage, the container that is shown in Figures 14a, 14b are provided with a recess 82 shaped like an equilateral triangle, and the containers that are shown in Figures 15a and 15b have a spherical recess 83. It is noted in this connection that the containers that are shown in Figures 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b are suitable for being approached from two sides, whereas the containers according to Figures 13a, 13b are rather suitable for being approached from one side, similar to the manner of approach as shown in Figure 6. The first group of containers also includes a simple, box-shaped container having a flat, horizontal bottom. Figures 16a and 16b show a variant of the container that is shown in Figures 13a. The variation is that an additional recess 87, which slopes downwards from the upper side of the circumferential edge 85 to the bottom line 86 and which comprises a supporting surface 88 and a resistance surface 89 for preventing small pieces of luggage 90, such as a beauty case, sliding further downwards in the direction of the bottom line 86, is formed in the sliding surface 84 of the container. Since the small pieces of luggage 90 will remain in the additional recess 87, a check-in operator 4 will not have to reach far for carrying out operations on such small pieces of luggage 90.

Figure 17 shows four check-in systems 1 as described with reference to Figures l-8b, which connect in a herringbone pattern to a main supply conveyor 8 for empty containers and a main discharge conveyor 9 positioned thereabove for containers filled with pieces of luggage. In Figure 17, the provisions for the supply of empty containers of the check-in systems 1 that are shown at the bottom of Figure 17 are visualised by showing an interruption of the main discharge conveyor 9 and leaving out the belt conveyor 17. As Figure 17 shows, the main directions of the check-in systems 1 include an angle 101 of about 60 degrees with the main directions of transport of the main supply conveyor 8 and the main discharge conveyor 9. As a result of said angle 101 being used, combined with the fact that the twin-belt conveyors 11 extend beyond the front side of the check-in counters 2, a wavy pattern, more specifically a serrated pattern in this case, is formed at the front sides of the check-in counters 2 and the ends of the twin-belt conveyors 11 of the various check-in systems 1. Passengers checking in now line up within said wave shape, which gives them a sense of security, since they are screened on one side by the part of the twin-belt conveyor 11 that extends on the front side of the counter 2.

A switch mechanism 102 for diverting empty containers 7 from the main the supply conveyor 8 to, initially, the first stationary belt conveyor 10 of the check-in system 1 is provided at the location where a check-in system 1 connects to the main supply conveyor 8. The manner in which said switch mechanism function will be explained in more detail yet with reference to Figures 18, 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, 23a and 23b. Figure 18 shows the supplying portion of a conveying system

1 in combination with a main supply conveyor 8. Said Figure furthermore shows a switch construction 103 which, for the sake of simplicity, is only a single variant of the switch construction 102 that is shown in Figure 17, since only one check-in system 1 connects to the main supply conveyor 8 at the switch construction 103. The switch construction 103 comprises a framework 104 disposed above the main supply conveyor 8, at such a distance therefrom that empty containers can pass underneath the switch construction 103 without impediment. Two guide plates 105, 106 can be moved vertically downwards and upwards by operating means (not shown), in such a manner that they are capable of diverting empty containers being supplied in the direction of the belt conveyor 10 as indicated by the arrow 107 in a lower position thereof by pushing the empty container 7 off the main supply container 8. In order to facilitate this process, a substantially triangular table 108 comprising a guide roller 109 is furthermore disposed between the stationary belt conveyor 10 and the main supply conveyor 8. It is important to note that the guide plates 105, 106 can be operated individually, which has advantages as regards the number of empty containers 7 that the main supply container 8 is capable of handling. This will be explained in more detail by means of a comparison between Figures 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b on the one hand and Figures 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b on the other hand.

Figures 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b show a main supply conveyor 8 provided with a switch construction 121 having a single guide element 122 exhibiting a slight kink, so that it can be divided into a front part 123 and the rear part 124. Alternatively, it is also possible to form the guide element 122 with a slight bend, seen in top plan view, rather than with a slight kink. In the situation that is shown in Figures 20a and 20b, the front side of the empty containers 7 nearly touches the front part 1 to 3 of the guide element 122 which is disposed in the path of said container 7. Figure 20a also shows an empty container 7' that has just passed the guide element 122 in its entirety. Consequently, a distance 125 as minimally required between two adjacent containers 7, 7' is present between the front side of the empty container 7 and the rear side of the empty container 7' so as to enable the guide element 122 to move downwards therebetween. Diversion of the empty container 7 subsequently takes place as shown in Figures 21a and 21b. Figures 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b likewise show a main supply conveyor 8 comprising a switch construction 131 having two guide elements 132, 133 which can individually be moved in upward and downward direction. Figure 22a shows the situation in which an empty container 7 is just about to come into guiding contact with the guide element 132 for being diverted to the right. At this point the guide element 133 need not be in its lower position as well yet, so that an empty container 7' present in front of the empty container 7 may occupy the position as shown in Figure 22a. Consequently, the minimum spacing between the front side of the empty containers 7 and the rear side of an empty container 7' present in front thereof corresponds to the distance 134, which is considerably smaller than the distance 125 in Figure 20a.

As already indicated before, the advantages of the preferred embodiments of check-in systems according to the invention as described above will to a significant extent also be achieved if the discharge conveyors in question do not extend along the front side of the check-in counter in question; however, since the containers that are used cannot be reached from their long side by the passengers in that case, the ergonomic advantage for the passenger with regard to the placing of luggage into the container would be lost. In order to prevent such a situation, it is also possible within the framework of the invention for the container to have an orientation different from the orientation as described so far, viz. rotated through 90° relative thereto, with the longitudinal direction of the container extending perpendicularly to the direction of transport of the discharge conveyor. Thus, the long side of the container will be available again for a passenger to take up a position beside the container and place luggage into the container from that position.

Now the advantage of using a switch construction comprising divided guide elements becomes apparent, because a smaller spacing between two empty containers 7 can be selected, so that a main supply conveyor 8 will be capable of handling a greater number of such containers.

Returning to Figure 17, it is noted that the guide elements of the switch construction 102 that is shown therein are double guide elements, which manifests itself in the cross formed by the joint elements, as a result of which the switch construction 102 is capable of diverting empty containers 107 to the left as well as to the right.

Few special provisions are required for discharging the luggage-filled containers via the main discharge conveyor 9, since the main discharge conveyor 9 will effect the required diversion as soon as a filled container is moved onto the main discharge conveyor 9 by the belt conveyor 17. In the inside bend, a curved guide 141 (see Figure 19) is provided, which prevents the container moving off the main conveyor 9 to one side. What is necessary, however, is for a control system comprising detection means, such as a photocell or a camera system, to detect whether sufficient space is available on the main discharge conveyor 9 for placing a filled container 7 thereon, and if that is the case, control the belt conveyor 17 in a suitable manner.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the various advantages of the preferred embodiments of check-in systems according to the invention as described above also apply, at least in part, in situations in which the discharge conveyor does not extend in part along the front side of the check-in counter. In the case of the preferred embodiments as described above this would mean that the ergonomic advantage to the passenger with regard to the placing of luggage into the container would be lost, however. In order not to relinquish that advantage, it would be possible in an alternative check- in system for the discharge conveyor to be arranged in such a manner that the containers are supplied in transverse direction, i.e. with their longitudinal direction oriented perpendicularly to the direction of transport of the discharge conveyor, so that the passengers can still take up a position on the long side of the container and the ergonomic advantage can be achieved after all.

Claims

1. A check-in system for luggage, which check-in system comprises a check-in counter provided with a worktop and a work position for a check-in operator positioned behind said worktop, which is positioned behind said worktop, as well as a discharge conveyor extending along the check-in counter and the work position for discharging luggage along a conveying route, characterized in that the discharge conveyor extends in part along the front side of the check-in counter.

2. A check-in system according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge conveyor comprises a conveyor section which is vertically movable, using drive means, between a lower position and an upper position for moving luggage that is present on the vertically movable conveyor section in vertical direction.

3. A check-in system according to claim 2, characterized in that said drive means are arranged for vertical translation of the vertically movable conveyor section.

4. A check-in system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the drive means are arranged for pivoting the vertically movable conveyor section about a horizontal axis extending perpendicularly to the direction of transport.

5. A check-in system according to claim 4, characterized in that the pivot axis is positioned at the end of the pivotable, vertically movable conveyor section remote from the head of the discharge conveyor.

6. A check-in system according to claim 5, characterized in that the pivot axis is positioned above the level of the head of the discharge conveyor.

7. A check-in system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge conveyor comprises a check-in conveyor section having a (preferably horizontal) supporting surface at a position higher than the head of the discharge conveyor so as to enable to check-in operator to handle the luggage present on the check-in conveyor.

8. A check-in system according to claim 7, characterized in that said supporting surface of the check-in conveyor section is disposed maximally 50 cm, preferably maximally 30 cm, below the level of the worktop.

9. A check-in system according to claim 7 or 8 and claim 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the check-in conveyor section is formed by the vertically movable conveyor section in a position other than its lowermost position.

10. A check-in system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that containers are provided for discharging luggage therein on the discharge conveyor.

11. A check-in system according to claim 10, characterized by a supply container for supplying an empty container to a passenger present at the head of the discharge conveyor along a supply route which is at least partially different from the discharge route, wherein the discharge conveyor is arranged for discharging a container that has been filled with a piece of luggage by the passenger from the location of said passenger.

12. A check-in system according to claim 10 or 11 and according to any one of the claims 2 - 9, characterized in that the vertically movable conveyor section is arranged for enabling the supply conveyor to supply empty containers to the head of the discharge conveyor in a first position of the vertically movable conveyor section, and for enabling, both in the first position and in a second position of the vertically movable conveyor section, the discharge conveyor to discharge a luggage- filled container from the head of the discharge conveyor, via the vertically movable conveyor section, along a discharge route that differs in part from the supply route.

13. A check-in system according to claim 12, characterized in that said first position corresponds to the upper position and that said second position corresponds to the lower position.

14. A check-in system according to any one of the claims 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the discharge conveyor and the supply conveyor comprise a common conveyor section which can be driven in two opposed directions, which conveyor section is positioned at the end of the supply conveyor and the head of the discharge conveyor.

15. A check-in system according to any one of the claims 11 - 14, characterized in that the supply conveyor or the discharge conveyor or the common conveyor section according to claim 14 comprises two parallel supporting conveying elements, with a free space for a container present therebetween.

16. A check-in system according to claim 15, characterized in that a screening element is provided for the purpose of screening the free space from above in the absence of a container at that location.

17. A check-in system according to claim 16, characterized in that the screening element is formed by a roller screen.

18. A check-in system according to claim 17, characterized in that spring means are provided for unrolling the roller screen so as to form a screen, in which case the roller screen is wound up against the action of the spring means as a result of a container pressing against the screen upon arrival thereof on the container conveying section.

19. A check-in system according to any one of the claims 2 - 6 and according to any one of the claims 15 - 18, characterized in that the vertically movable conveyor section extends into the free space between the two parallel supporting conveying elements in the second position.

20. A check-in system according to any one of the claims 11 - 19, characterized in that the supply conveyor is completely stationary.

21. A check-in system according to any one of the claims 11 - 20, characterized in that the supply route extends substantially in the same horizontal plane.

22. A check-in system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a main discharge conveyor for receiving luggage from the discharge conveyor and further discharging said luggage.

23. A check-in system according to claim 22, characterized in that the main discharge conveyor and the discharge conveyor include a first angle other than a right angle with each other at the location where they connect to each other.

24. A check-in system according to any one of the claims 10 - 23, characterized by a main supply conveyor for the prior supply and delivery of empty containers to the supply conveyor.

25. A check-in system according to claim 24, characterized in that the main supply conveyor and the supply conveyor include a second angle other than a right angle with each other at the location where they connect to each other.

26. A check-in system according to claim 23 and/or 25, characterized in that said first angle and/or said second angle varies between 45 degrees and 75 degrees.

27. A check-in system according to claim 22 or 23 and according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the connection between the main supply conveyor and the supply conveyor and the connection between the main discharge conveyor and the discharge conveyor as well as the main supply conveyor and the main discharge conveyor are disposed straight above each other, with the directions of transport of the main supply conveyor and the main discharge conveyor being of opposite sense.

28. A check-in system according to any one of the claims 24 - 27, characterized by a vertically movable guide element for guiding an empty container sideways from the main supply conveyor to a supply conveyor in a lower guiding position in the path of a container being conveyed by the main supply conveyor.

29. A check-in system according to claim 28, characterized in that the guide element comprises a front sub-guide element and a rear sub-guide element (seen in the direction of transport of the main supply conveyor), which are individually movable in vertical direction.

30. A check-in system according to any one of the claims 10 - 29, characterized in that containers having a sloping sliding surface for the luggage are provided.

31. A check-in system according to claim 30, characterized in that a recess is present in the sloping sliding surface for accommodating relatively small pieces of luggage.

32. A check-in system according to any one of the claims 11 - 31, characterized in that a control system is provided which, in a fully automated manner, arranges for the supply of a container to the head of the discharge conveyor, via the supply conveyor, as soon as a luggage- filled container has left said position.

33. A check-in system according to any one of the preceding" claims, characterized in that the discharge conveyor extends over a distance of at least 50 cm along the front side of the check-in counter.

34. A check-in system according to any one of the claims 10 - 21, characterized in that the discharge container extends over a distance of at least 60 per cent of the length of the container along the front side of the check-in counter.

35. A check-in system according to claim 34, characterized in that the discharge container extends over a distance of substantially the length of a container along the front side of the check-in counter.

36. A check-in system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge conveyor is arranged for discharging containers whose longitudinal direction extends perpendicularly to the direction of transport of the discharge conveyor.

37. A check-in system according to claim 36, characterized in that the discharge conveyor has a width of at least 100 cm.

38. A group of check-in systems according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the check-in systems are disposed side by side and in that the front sides of the check-in counters and the discharge conveyors substantially form a wavy pattern, such as a serrated pattern.